Congressional economists tackle copyright issues

“The Congressional Budget Office [CBO] released a new study on digital copyright issues Tuesday, outlining economic problems that Congress should keep in mind as it grapples with making new laws.

While stopping short of specific legislative recommendations, the paper offers a set of principles for lawmakers that’s largely focused on avoiding being tied too closely to past practices or to the interests of powerful companies or consumer groups.

“Revisions to copyright law should be made without regard to the vested interests of particular business and consumer groups,” the congressional economists wrote. “Instead, they should be assessed with regard to their consequences for efficiency in markets for creative works and other products [...]”